Duties and Responsibilities:

• Hires, supervises, coaches, and evaluates education staff.
• Working with Education Team, develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate all aspects of educational programs, including River Classroom.
• Ensure that careful and accurate records of animal care and training, and program data are maintained.
• Ensure Education Team is following best practices in both education/interpretation and in ambassador animal care.
• Support and supervise Education Animal Curator (EAC) in caring for all Animal Ambassadors. Ensure highest level of animal welfare and highest quality visitor experience.
• Support and supervise Wildlife Education Coordinator (WEC) and EAC in scheduling and presenting programs as needed.
• Engage volunteers in assisting with education programs, in accordance with NMWC policies, and provide leadership and training to volunteers in support of Volunteer Coordinator.
• Assist with and/or lead coordination of onsite events.
• Assist Executive Director with writing grants and grant reports, and in other external communications as requested.
• Perform as a key member of NMWC’s management team, working with other managers to translate strategic plan into daily operations. Demonstrate leadership in all interactions with staff, volunteers, audience members, and visitors.
• Represent NMWC in a professional manner at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• A passion for NMWC’s mission, for teaching and learning, and a demonstrated experience in developing, managing, and evaluating educational programs.
• Strong supervisory and interpersonal skills; successful experience leading staff and volunteers. Proven ability to work successfully with people of varying backgrounds, skill levels, and interests.
• Good understanding of operant conditioning techniques, and a deep commitment to the welfare of captive animals.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including a demonstrated proficiency in and comfort with public speaking and presentations.
• Experience working with and handling captive wildlife, especially raptors and reptiles.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, environmental education, or a related field.
• Enthusiastic personality with a positive outlook and a can-do attitude.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be given and followed.
• Some weekend and evening work will be required for programs and special events. 

Successful experience writing grants is strongly preferred.

CIT certification (National Association of Interpretation) and/or teaching certification is highly desirable.

Some graphic design skills and successful experience with organizing events are a plus, as is the ability to speak Spanish.